Cynanchum Plant Care
Funastrum cynanchoides (Decne.) Schltr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Funastrum cynanchoides, also known as fringed twinevine, twining milkweed or climbing milkweed, is a perennial plant in the family Apocynaceae that grows twining through other plants in the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert. It has milky sap and smells pungent.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Cynanchum?
Cynanchum grows best in bright indirect light. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Cynanchum?
Cynanchum (Funastrum cynanchoides) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Funastrum genus. Cynanchum is also known as Climbing Milkweed.
Cynanchum displays a vining, trailing growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Cynanchum produces small star-shaped flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Cynanchum Need?
Cynanchum thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Cynanchum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cynanchum?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Cynanchum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Cynanchum?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Cynanchum?
Cynanchum can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to milkweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Cynanchum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Cynanchum?
Cynanchum is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Cynanchum is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Funastrum genus — compare its care with other Funastrum species on PlantoScan.
Funastrum is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Cynanchum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Funastrum cynanchoides (Decne.) Schltr., family Apocynaceae (first published in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 13: 284 (1914)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Cynanchum is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Cynanchum Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species